Stroud woman charged in meth lab explosion faces new charges

Tuesday

Feb 19, 2013 at 4:38 PMFeb 19, 2013 at 5:30 PM

Charged in connection with the January 2012 explosion of an alleged methamphetamine lab in Stroud Township, Rachel Lee Wasniewski, 33, is now charged in a December incident at the same location of the explosion and fire.

Called to the Lupine Avenue residence Dec. 10 to check out suspected illegal drug use, Stroud Area Regional Police found manufacturing devices, baggies, spoons, residue, syringes, a scale and a bleach container with a hidden compartment in the basement where the explosion had occurred. Police said crime lab results indicate the presence of cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone and diazepam on or in these items found.

Police said a 14-year-old at the home told them Wasniewski, who was not there at the time, had asked the teen to join her in smoking marijuana. Police said the teen told them about areas and items in the basement Wasniewski had told her not to touch, while the homeowner reported Wasniewski was not welcome in the house but sometimes snuck in.

The owner then took police to the basement, where the items were found.

A state police fire marshal testified at Wasniewski's February 2012 preliminary hearing to finding a gallon can of stove-and-lantern fuel and cut-off battery lithium strips, all of which are used in making meth, in the basement shortly after the explosion. According to other testimony, Wasniewski fled the home in her mother's vehicle after the explosion and was later arrested in Maryland.

Wasniewski is charged in this case with drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession and reckless endangerment. She will appear in district court at a future date.